This could have been an innocuous statement to make at a political rally. But when the sheriff of Kolkata addresses the audience from a political dais, he is definitely not going by the rulebook. By urging thousands of Trinamool supporters to respond to the chief minister's call, veteran actor and Kolkata's sheriff Ranjit Mullick on Monday "crossed the line" at the Martyrs' Day rally in an act that some termed as a "brazen violation of law".

Congress leader and lawyer Arunava Ghosh said he will move a notice in the Calcutta high court on it. "The appointment, powers and functions of a sheriff is governed under Calcutta Sheriff's Act, 1948, and Calcutta Sheriff' Rules, 1950. The Sheriff is appointed by the Governor from a panel of three names, which has to be ratified by a full-bench of the court. The sheriff has to take an oath of office too," Ghosh said.

BJP state general-secretary Shamik Bhattacharya echoed him. "This is completely unethical. By endorsing a political party publicly, Mullick has crossed the line," he said.

Explaining the role of a sheriff - a statutory post under the Calcutta high court - senior lawyer Bikash Bhattacharya said, "The sheriff enjoys a lot of statutory powers at the court's discretion. For example, he can attach property and can even arrest in civil suits on the court's orders. He has powers to impose prohibitory orders, notices and writs to respondents. It may be an ornamental post but has a lot of value. Mullick's presence at the political rally has not only undermined the post but is unacceptable."

Former sheriff Chuni Goswami also felt Mullick should have stayed away from the rally. "As I understood, we reported to the Chief Justice of Calcutta high court and had an office (with staff) on the high court campus. This is definitely an apolitical post. And in fact, it is borne out from that fact that political persons are never appointed as the sheriff of Kolkata. I think he should have stayed away from such a rally to avoid controversies. One can have a liberty to support a political party but matters of heart should be kept there, never publicly proclaimed," he added.

Lawyer Milon Mukherjee said, "Having being endorsed by a high court full-bench and appointed by the Governor, there should be sense of neutrality to the post, though largely titular."

Mullick himself wasn't available for comment. TOI was advised to call back at 10am on Tuesday for Mullick's reactions.

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